Ramblings of a Dulcimer nutTopic: New Club has formed!After several years managing this site I thought it was time to add a blog and make comments about the club, its events & happenings or whatever from time to time. I would also like club members and guests to make contributions which can be posted for anyone who might be interested...The dulcimer has been an integral part of my life for the past 13 years bringing joy and comfort, challenge and growth into my life and opening up a whole international community to me. The friendships made have been amazing and many of these musical folks I consider to be close friends.At our 8th annual Winter Dulcimer Fest this year I put out a sign up list for folks who might be interested in starting a new club in or near the Lehigh Valley. About 20 people signed up. After some initial encouragement a couple in Bucks County stepped forward and started to search for a place to meet. Since the majority of the folks interested in forming a new club lived south of the Valley the initial meeting took place in Quakertown at the First United Church of Christ 0n 4th Street. The first meeting took place on March 14th and about 38 people showed up - mountain dulcimer players, hammered dulcimer players and autoharp players. It was a great first meeting.

During the ensuing weeks several names were suggested for the group and the one that stuck was the "Quakertown Area Dulcimer and Autoharp Society" (QuADAS). The second meeting was also well attended on April 11th and on April 12th the church voted to allow the new club, QuADAS, to meet there. So a new club is born!! [For more information you can contact Obie & Bobbie @ obediahbreadboard@verizon.net

This is really exciting for us at the PDC because it is the first formal spinoff from the club and its activities over the past few years. To kick off their first year the QuADAS will be presenting Atwater-Donnelly on June 26th. (Aubrey Atwater was a featured MD performer/faculty at the PDC's Winter Dulcimer Fest in 2006) Aubrey and Elwood will present a workshop or two in the afternoon, joined by HD & Autoharp teachers, and a concert in the evening - watch for more details.

QuADAS meets the 2nd Sunday of the Month at First United Church of Christ, 151 South 4th Street, Quakertown, PA 18951 from 2 - 5PM. Contact Obie & Bobbie @ obediahbreadboard@verizon.net for information, directions, etc. The club is for Mountain & Hammered dulcimers and Autoharps.